Defence Forces transform GPO for homeless party

A military operation took place to transform the GPO's public office into a banqueting hall this evening for a party for 240 homeless people.

The Defence Forces transformed the area usually used to conduct postal business into a fully functioning eatery and dance hall this evening.

'Eric's Party' - a party organised for homeless people by Dublin Lions Club - saw 240 homeless people from the Simon Community, The Iveagh Trust and the Capuchin Day Centre, served a three-course meal followed by a party with music by two bands - Rake the Ashes, and John Lowe and the Buddies.

U2's Larry Mullen made a surprise appearance at tonight's dinner and took to the drums to entertain the guests.

"Five-minutes after the GPO closes to the public, the Defence Forces come in and transform it in to a banqueting hall for our guests," said An Post's Head of Corporate Communications Anna McHugh.

Defence Forces Assistant Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Peter O'Halloran, said troops were hoping to break a previous record of 22 minutes set for the kit out.

"In 2015, there was a request made to the community services of the Department of Defence and it was passed on to me at that time as the Director of Logistics to know if we would get involved with Eric's Party," he said.

"For me, this was a wonderful fit because the first time we were going to be involved was 2016 ... the centenary year.

"It was massively symbolic that here were the descendants of the Volunteers, who fought in the GPO, coming back to look after the vulnerable in Dublin City - namely the homeless. So, it was a fantastic fit for us."

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